USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 42
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James Garner was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, and among his brothers was George Garner, father of the late David M. Garner. In 1836 he came from Steuben county, New York, to Michigan, and for many years lived at White Lake township, in Oakland county. When well advanced in years he moved to Fenton, Genesee county, where he passed his remaining days, dying in 1866, aged three score and ten years. He reared two sons and two daughters, namely: Margaret and Ann, both deceased; Thomas, who died in early life in White Lake township; and John C.
John C. Garner was a lad in his 'teens when he came with the family to White Lake township. In 1838, before attaining his majority, he secured title to the two hundred acres of land now owned and occupied by his son James, the deed conveying it to him from the government bear- ing the signature of President Van Buren. Prior to his marriage he began the improvement of his property, and while putting up the log cabin in which he installed his bride boarded with his sister, who lived a mile away. Working very late one night, he dared not start homeward fearing to lose his way in the dark woods, the trail having been followed by means of blazed trees, and throughout that long night he was forced to walk back and forth over a short pathway in order to keep from freezing. About twelve years later he removed to what is now known as the Galpin farm, in Rose township, locating upon land which he had taken up from the government sometime before, but on which no im- provements had been made. Here, as on the other land, he built a log house, and was there employed in tilling the soil a number of years. Removing to Holly in 1876, he there lived retired until his death, in 1890, at the good old age of seventy years.
In 1842 John C. Garner was united in marriage with Jane Fenwick, a daughter of John Fenwick, a pioneer of Rose township. She sur- vived him, passing away in December, 1906, aged eighty-three years.
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Of their children two grew to years of maturity, Mary L., deceased ; and James, the subject of this sketch. Mary L. married the late John M. Gardner, and their daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Galpin, owns the farm on which her uncle James Garner, was born.
Born April 18, 1856, in Rose township, on the farm to which his parents had removed but a short time before, James Garner there spent his early life, the farm being located two and one-half miles southeast of Holly, and about the same distance northeast of Rose Center. Al- though reared to farming pursuits, he began his active career as a clerk in a store at Holly. In 1879 he again turned his attention to agriculture, assuming possession of the original Garner homestead, which is located near the center of Rose township, being nearly four miles south of his birthplace. Continuing the improvements previously made, Mr. Garner has now a substantial frame house and good farm buildings, and in the management of his farm is meeting with most satisfactory results. In 1907 he built a new barn, erecting it on the site of the original barn built by his father sixty-three years ago, at its "raising" there having been present one man, Jake Bauchman, of White Lake township, who assisted in the raising of the first barn, having then been a stout lad of sixteen years.
Mr. Garner married, April 10, 1879, Eliza J. Britton, a daughter of John and Grace (Underwood) Britton, who are now living in Holly, where for forty-four years Mr. Britton followed shoemaking. Grace, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Garner, has always remained with her parents, her husband, Thomas Line, now having charge of the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Line have two children, namely: Doris Eliza, born February 20, 1905; and Paul Garner, born November 12, 1907.
CHARLES HANSARD has been actively identified with the develop- ment of the agricultural resources of Oakland county nearly all of his life, and is now prosperously engaged in tilling the soil on a farm ly- ing not far from Davisburg, holding a good position among the more able and thrifty farmers of his community. A son of Henry Han- sard, he was born January 20, 1861, in White Lake township, Oakland county, Michigan, of English ancestry.
Henry Hansard, a native of Lincolnshire, England, came with his brother Edward to Oakland county in 1852. He bought, with his brother, eighty acres of timbered land in White 'Lake township, and immediately began the improvement of a homestead, retaining the ownership of forty acres of the original purchase until his death, March 9, 1868. He married Anna England, who was likewise born and bred in Lincolnshire, England, but came with her parents to Michigan in girlhood, and at the time of their marriage, about 1854, was living in Bloomfield township, Oakland county. They reared four children, as follows: Robert, owning a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Waterford, Michigan, married Cora Voorhies, of Springfield township, and they have four children: Mary Ann, who married Robert Drum- mond, lives on the parental homestead; Susan, wife of Jacob Voor- hies, of Springfield township; and Charles.
Charles Hansard remained beneath the parental roof until twenty- four years of age. From the age of thirteen years he was self sup- porting, working for wages by the month on different farms in the neighborhood. Saving his money, he was enabled at the time of his
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marriage to buy, in partnership with his half-brother James, the one hundred acre farm adjoining his father's homestead. A year later Mr. Hansard sold his interest in that property, and the following four- teen years lived on rented land in White Lake township. Very suc- cessful in his agricultural labors, he then invested his accumulations in land, buying his present farm of one hundred acres, which is finely located about five miles southwest of Davisburg. Industrious and en- terprising, Mr. Hansard each year adds improvements of value to his estate, as a general farmer showing marked skill and ability.
On February 1I, 1885, Mr. Hansard was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Voorhies, and into their pleasant home four children have been born, namely: Roy, born in 1888, a farm laborer, lives at home; Paul, assisting his father on the home farm; Jennie, born in 1894; and Joseph, born in 1901. Mr. Hansard is a Republican in political mat- ters.
JARRETT BROTHERS. For upwards of thirty years James and Duke Jarrett, who are in partnership, and occupy the same farm and house, have been actively associated with the development and promotion of the agricultural interests of Oakland county, their well improved farm being situated in Rose township. Both brothers were born on a farm in Ontario, Canada, the birth of James having occurred February 2, 1853, and that of Duke June 26, 1848.
In 1875, seized with a wanderlust, Duke Jarrett bade good bye to home and friends, in the month of March coming to Michigan. After spending a year in Oakland county his adventurous spirit took him to the Black Hills, and at the time of the Custer massacre he was a resi- dent of Deadwood City. He prospected for gold in that region, but being taken ill had to give up the pursuit. Returning east, he stopped a short time in Iowa, from there coming back to Michigan and locat- ing in Oakland county in 1876. While at the Black Hills he saw all of the rough sides and wildness of life in a mining camp, and having through sickness lost all of his money, being reduced to a three-cent piece, also found out how truly sympathetic and kind-hearted the min- ers are.
After his return to Michigan Mr. Duke Jarrett worked by the month for a while, and having saved his money purchased a small interest in a threshing outfit, and began threshing for his neighbors, an occupa- tion with which he had become familiar in Canada, while with his fa- ther. He has continued in this branch of industry for the past thirty- three years, during which time he has operated eight different thresh- ing machines, having been in partnership in this work with his brother James, as he is in farming and stock-raising. The Jarrett Brothers have for years been breeding heavy draft horses from inported stock,
and in addition to improving their own stock have raised the standard of draft horses in and throughout this section of the state. As gen- eral farmers Messrs. Jarrett have been eminently successful, having begun their agricultural labors in Oakland county with an indebtedness of $5,000, all of which has long since been paid, while their farm has been placed under a high state of cultivation, ranking with the best in the community.
Mr. Duke Jarrett married, in Oakland county, Michigan, Ida May Davis, a daughter of Jerome Davis, and they have two children, namely : Leah, wife of Eugene Cobb, of Holly; and Joyce, living at home.
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James Jarrett joined his brother Duke in Oakland county, Michi- gan, in 1880, and has since been associated with him in his agricultural labors. Enterprising and thrifty, he has been exceedingly prosper- ous, and holds high rank among the more energetic and progressive ag- riculturists of his neighborhood. After coming to Oakland county he met and married Mary Reynolds, a daughter of John Reynolds, of Ma- comb county, Michigan. She passed to the higher life December 24, 1910, leaving four children, namely : Glen, an engineer, now engaged in farming near his father's home, married May Jennings; Veta, wife of William Walton, of Holly township; Irene, living at home; and Alice, also at home.
WILLIAM PARKER. One of the well-to-do agriculturists of Oakland county, William Parker is a worthy representative of the self-made men who came to Michigan from the British Isles poor in purse, but pos- sessing an unlimited stock of perseverance and energy, and who by untiring industry and good management have succeeded in acquiring a fair share of this world's goods. Born in Thorpe, Lincolnshire, Eng- land, July 25, 1846, he grew to manhood in his native county, being reared to farming pursuits.
In 1871 Mr. Parker bade a long farewell to his native land, com- ing to the United States, a land of hope and promise, and locating in Oakland county, Michigan, where his brother, Richard Parker, and his brothers-in-law, Simon Truxworth and Walter Truxworth, were living. Being without means, he worked by the day for six years, when, having accumulated a sufficient sum to warrant him in buying a team and some tools, he rented a farm on shares for the next six years, re- siding in Southfield township. Mr. Parker succeeded so well in his venture that he was then enabled to buy a small farm, and purchased sixty-two and one-half acres of land lying two and one-half miles north and east of Holly. Subsequently disposing of that at an advantage, he bought a small place situated on the line between Holly and Rose town- ships, and in its management was quite successful. But in 1903 he exchanged that property for his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is situated one and one-half miles west and south of Davisburg, one hundred acres being in Rose township and twenty acres in Springfield township. Mr. Parker is here carrying on general farming with highly satisfactory results, from year to year adding to the improvements of his property. He has a substantial set of farm buildings, which he keeps in good repair and well painted, his estate being one of the most attractive in the vicinity as regards the neatness of its buildings and their surroundings.
Mr. Parker married at the age of twenty-four years Charlotte Trux- worth, a charming young maid of sixteen summers and a native of Wainfield, Lincolnshire, England, born August 8, 1854. They were married on a Monday of 1871 and started for the United States on the following day. To them seven children have been born, namely: Nel- lie E., at home, a substitute rural mail carrier; Alfred, a farmer in Rose township; Walter, a farmer in Springfield township, and a rural mail carrier; Clara, wife of L. C. Scramblin, a farmer in Groveland township; Allen, who assists his father in the care of the home farm; Louise, at home, teaches in Rose township; and Daisy, also at home, teaches in Springfield township. The two younger daughters were edu- cated in the Davisburg schools and at the Holly high school.
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Fraternally Mr. Parker is a member of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, and both he and his wife belong to the Tribe of Ben Hur.
WILLIAM J. WOLFE. One of the foremost agriculturists of Rose township, none better known in its history, William J. Wolfe, now serving as supervisor, is numbered among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Oakland county who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are enabled to carry it on with profit to themselves and to the community. A son of Adam Wolfe, he was born June 2, 1871, at Auburn, Bay county, Michigan, of English and German descent.
Adam Wolfe was born in New York state of German parentage. Coming to Michigan when young, he took up one hundred and forty- five acres of land in Bay county, adjoining Auburn, and was there en- gaged in tilling the soil for a number of years. While yet a young man he foresaw the future possibilities of the far west, and moved with his family to Oregon. Settling near Portland, he purchased land, and was there successfully employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, April 27, 19II, aged sixty-eight years and eleven months, his birth having occurred May 27, 1842. His widow and five children still re- side in Oregon and one son resides in Washington, D. C. Adam Wolfe married Sarah F. Heward, who was born in New York state, March 30, 1841, but was brought up and educated in Oakland county, Michi- gan. Her father, William Heward, was born March 2, 1806, in Bev- erly, near Hull, England, where he grew to man's estate. In 1830 he married Elizabeth Whittaker, who was born in Yorkshire, England, at Wiston, on January 27, 1809. During the same year he came with his young bride to the United States, locating at Morristown, Saint Law- rence county, New York. Twelve years later, in 1842, he came to Oakland county, Michigan, settling a mile and a half southeast of Holly, in Rose township, on the farm now occupied by his grandson, William J. Wolfe. Taking up a tract of timbered land, he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and was here a resident until his death, May 25, 1884. His wife survived him, pass- ing away February 3, 1897. He was quite successful as a farmer, and though affiliated with the Democratic party was never active in public affairs, persistently refusing all offices. During the later years of his life he was partially blind. To him and his wife seven children were born, two sons and five daughters, as follows: Ambrose Heward, who died in Saginaw county, Michigan, was there engaged for several years in farming; William, who was for some time engaged in the milling busi- ness at Detroit, died on the home farm; Sarah F., widow of Adam Wolfe and mother of William J. Wolfe; Jane E., wife of John Shields, a farmer in Holly township; Ann E. and Macy, living on the old homestead; and Abigail, who died in early womanhood.
But a child when his parents removed to Oregon, William J. Wolfe was allowed to remain with his maternal grandparents, and has prac- tically known no other home than the one where he now lives. He was a lad of fourteen years when his grandfather died, and four years later, in 1888, he assumed the entire management of the home farm, superintending its work ably and successfully. Mr. Wolfe has con- tinued the improvements previously inaugurated, keeping everything in good repair, having rebuilt the barn erected by his grandfather three Vol. II-20
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score years ago, putting it in a fine condition. In 1911 he erected a substantial residence, fitting it with all modern conveniences, including steam heat, and also built a bank barn, thirty-four by seventy-six feet, his improvements being of an excellent character, greatly enhancing the value and beauty of the estate.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Wolfe, although living in a Republican district, is often elected to offices of importance and responsibility. He served as township treasurer for four years, having been first elected when but twenty-six years old. For ten years he served as supervisor, being a member of the board when the contract for the building of the new courthouse was let. In 1906 he made the run for representative to the state legislature, and though defeated at the polls cut the Re- publican majority in two as it usually stands. Fraternally he belongs to Holly Lodge, No. 134, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Ma- sons ; to Holly Chapter, No. 807, Royal Arch Masons; to Holly Coun- cil, No. 39, Royal and Select Masters; and to Fenton Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar. He takes great interest in educational mat- ters, and is now treasurer of the local school board. Mr. Wolfe has never married, his maiden aunts presiding over his household.
He is a fine representative of the pioneers of Oakland county, his grandfather Heward having been one of the earlier settlers of Rose township, and intimately acquainted with many of the pioneer families of the place, among his warmest friends having been the Fillingham brothers, David, William and Edmund, men of prominence and influ- ence in early days.
JOHN R. TOYNTON. Few people start on their life's career at so early an age as John R. Toynton, whose handsome residence at No. 82 Au- burn avenue, Pontiac, is the admiration of all who observe it. He was but thirteen years old when he started on his own account, having not only to make his fight alone but in a strange land, for he crossed the At- lantic to the United States, which to his youthful view was the land of promise. The promise became a fulfillment as the years of effort rolled by, until he found himself established on a firm footing, well-to-do as concerns this world's goods, and well off as applies to the esteem and approbation of his fellow men.
Merrie England was the native land of Mr. Toynton, who was born on April 27, 1838. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Kent) Toyn- ton, members of substantial English families who remained in that coun- try all their lives. Their family comprised ten children, all now dead with the exception of the subject of this review. He came to America in 1851, at the age of thirteen, accompanied by two of his brothers, and they all located in Pontiac. Henry W. was the oldest. He farmed in Oakland county for years, and at length sold his place and removed to Pontiac, where he died on August 5, 1911. Joseph, the youngest, was head of the Gray, Toynton & Fox candy factory in Detroit at the time of his death in 1881.
John followed farming for a year after his arrival from the old coun- try, then learned the baker's trade. Coming to Pontiac, he went into this business and conducted an establishment successfully for thirty-nine years. During the Civil war he served the Twenty-second Regiment over a thousand loaves of bread each day. He prospered materially as the years went by and he invested in first-class real estate. Besides his
MR. AND MRS. JOHN R. TOYNTON
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business property he owns half a block of residences on Auburn avenue, on which thoroughfare his beautiful home is situated.
Mr. Toynton was married to Miss Charlotte Nash on May 23, 1861. She was born in Wilshire, England, April 4, 1841, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth ( Neweth) Nash. They came to the United States in 1856 and located in Pontiac, where the father died a short time afterwards, when forty-two years of age. Mrs. Toynton, has spent the remainder of her life here. To their union six children were born: William, of Pon- tiac; Elizabeth, wife of Fred High, who is associated with the National Cash Register Company at Boston, Massachusetts; Charles, of Detroit, Michigan ; Joseph, of Pontiac; Lottie, who is at home; and John Robert, who is deceased. Mrs. Toynton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Toynton is a Democrat but cares nothing for the opportunity to hold office, which his long residence and standing in the community offers to him. He attends the Episcopal church and is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. Personally he is a cultured, agreeable and refined gentle- man, whose good breeding is manifest in all that he says and does.
HERMAN HIBNER is most successfully engaged in diversified agri- culture and the raising of high-grade stock on his fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Independence township, Oakland county, Michi- gan, the same being eligibly located two miles distant from Clarkston. While he has never taken an active part in local politics, he is loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude and he is ever on the alert to do all in his power to advance the best interests of the community in which he resides.
A native of White Lake township, Oakland county, Michigan, Her- man Hibner was born January 18, 1871, and he is a son of Charles and Fredericka (Mehlberg) Hibner, both of whom were born in Prussia, whence they accompanied their respective parents to America when children. They both grew up in Groveland township, Oakland county, and here was solemnized their marriage in 1866. At the time of the inception of the Civil war Charles Hibner gave evidence of his loyalty to the country of his adoption by enlisting as a soldier in Company K, Fifth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He served continuously until he was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness and taken prisoner by the Confederate forces. He was held in duress at Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, for one year, at the expiration of which the Union forces ef- fected his exchange. Having a little money, he was allowed to hire a negro to bring him better food than that served to the rest of the prisoners. He lost his leg soon after being made prisoner, and subse- quently another amputation had to be made. After his return to Michi- gan, in 1865, Mr. Hibner resumed farming in White Lake township and he continued as an agriculturist until 1906, since which time he has lived virtually retired, his home being in the city of Pontiac, Michi- gan. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a devout member of the Presbyterian church in his religious faith, and in poli- tics is a stalwart Republican. He and his wife, who is still living, be- came the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, seven of whom are living, in 1912.
To the public schools of White Lake township Herman Hibner is indebted for his educational training. He passed his boyhood on the
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parental estate and after reaching adult age took charge of one of his father's farms in White Lake township, eventually settling on a farm adjoining that of his father. In 1910 he came to Independence town- ship and settled on the Lawrence Clark estate, comprising one hundred and sixty acres and situated two miles northwest of Clarkston. This is one of the very best farms in the county and on it Mr. Hibner is engaged in mixed farming and in the raising of high-grade cattle and sheep. He is one of the most prosperous and progressive citizens in this section of the county and holds a reputation for being strictly on the square in all his business dealings. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never evinced aught of ambition for the honors or emolu- ments of public office of any description, preferring to give his entire attention to his extensive business interests. He is exceedingly fond of all out-of-door sports and makes many hunting and fishing expedi- tions.
In 1896 Mr. Hibner was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Pattee, of Bridgeport, Saginaw county, Michigan. Mrs. Hibner is a devout member of the Baptist church, in the different departments of which she is a most active, and zealous factor. Mr. and Mrs. Hibner have two children, Lena B. and Dorothy, both of whom are attending school at Clarkston.
DELAVAN J. PIERCE. After a period covering forty-five years spent in agricultural pursuits in Oakland county, Delavan J. Pierce is now living a retired life three and one-half miles north of Clarkston, where he has a wide acquaintance and is known as a good and public-spirited citizen. He came to this vicinity when Independence township was still largely covered with timber, and bore his full share of the im- provement and development of its farming resources, accumulating a handsome property and so conducting his affairs as to gain and retain the full confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Pierce was born in Herkimer county, New York, April 9, 1833, and belongs to an old and honored New England family which came from Vermont to New York, his grandfather, Dean Pierce, having served gallantly during the War of 1812, and being with the American forces at Sack- ett's Harbor ..
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